# How to make a scanned PDF searchable on a Mac

Run OCR on the PDF: it adds an invisible text layer so you can search, select and copy the words. OneMacTools' Make PDF Searchable does it on your Mac with Apple's Vision, in many languages.

## Steps
1. Open OneMacTools › Make PDF Searchable, or right-click the PDF › Quick Actions › OMT: Make PDF Searchable.
2. Choose the language if it isn't detected automatically.
3. Click Make Searchable. The new PDF keeps the original look, with text you can search and copy.

## Questions
**Does OCR change how the PDF looks?**
No. The text layer is invisible; the pages look the same.

Source: https://www.onemactools.com/guides/make-pdf-searchable-mac (updated 2026-10-14)